Handpicked this week - June 16

t's been a minute, and I'm sure all of you with kids know why. This is the season of insanity, where we give up on nutritious lunches and twice daily teeth brushing because of the manic pace of sports championships, recitals, end of year celebrations (please not one more where we have to bring food) and thank you gift cards. No we are not logging our reading hours in June. My child is just going to be stupid. If you follow Jen Hatmaker, this post is a gem.

Welcome to my Handpicked by Milk and Honey Group newsletter. For new subscribers, in this weekly newsletter, I share my top picks for the week - trends or particularly noteworthy designs. Each week I share an interior, a real estate listing, and a style item that I think is special. I hope you'll let me know what you think!

1] Handpicked: INTERIOR

I don't follow many construction companies (since they tend not to post pretty things but rather foundation pours), but Agor, based in Spain is a must see!

I adore their details and how they transform traditional homes with exacting details that update and elevate the space. Curvilinear stairs. Extra wide natural wood casing. It's all so refreshing! I particularly love how they're using folding doors and screens to make open-concept homes more private when necessary.

I may need to do some in-person scouting of their projects for inspiration. What do you think?

2) Handpicked: REAL ESTATE

I have always loved the Westford Road neighborhood in Concord. It is close to the center of town, but it feels like you are so far away. It's private, bucolic and is just the right spot to create a homestead and live all your Amanda Soule and Waldorf dreams (with easy access to the supermarket when you forget to milk the goats). Modeled on an historic Colonial, the house was built in 1966 so should have reasonable systems and updates that aren't too scary!

On four and a half acres, it's just waiting for you to purchase a horse or two and build a guest house/barn (or maybe just update the kitchen and baths). With this gorgeous weather this seems like a perfect spot to call home.

3) Handpicked: STYLE

We jumped right from winter to summer with too many rainy days in between - my wardrobe has not been able to keep up! I absolutely love block prints from India and especially on lightweight cotton voile in summer. You all know that Daughters of India is a favorite (I think I have four of their dresses), and I was excited to find Jaipur Morni which mixes up the rotation with some color. Floaty dresses and tops, bags and quilts are all part of their collection. I love that you can wear these pieces in shoulder seasons as well with white jeans or a cardigan.

Don't forget the adorable pajamas too - no need to get dressed! So easy and pretty - which is your favorite?

That's all from our team this week - can't wait until next week!

X Isabella

Isabella Califano Ehrlich - Designer and GC
Milk and Honey Group

P.S. If you would like to consider working together, I'd love to hear from you! Just head to m​y website here and drop me a line.

Handpicked this week - April 7

Welcome to my Handpicked by Milk and Honey Group newsletter. For new subscribers, in this weekly newsletter, I share my top picks for the week - trends or particularly noteworthy designs. Each week I share an interior, a real estate listing, and a style item that I think is special. I hope you'll let me know what you think!

1] Handpicked: INTERIOR

There is often a flash of panic on new clients' faces when we ask "what's your style?" It's a tough question because we all have multiple inputs that define our personal aesthetic. We always reassure homeowners that it's ok to not know! A really fun way to define personal style is reflecting on places and atmospheres that give you joy, peace, or inspiration. Sharing favorite vacation destinations, beloved restaurants or relaxing hotels is a great way for us to understand what design elements will define "home" for you.

I found Float Studio, which primarily focuses on commercial spaces (retail, hospitality, and workplaces), and was in love. They have designed some of my favorite companies' spaces - Sakara Life, Schumacher and Modern Matter are just a few!

That Food52 kitchen has SO many good ideas! Commercial spaces are so freeing because they have a theme that directs the design, making it more cohesive. Check out our collection of Pinterest boards for more help in defining YOUR personal style!

2) Handpicked: REAL ESTATE

Another gorgeous Greek Revival house in Newton came on the market this week! This house seems to have been the unfortunate recipient of a 70s renovation. Many original details were stripped, but some remain (like the gorgeous stairs).

Why oh why on the yellow paint? Fortunately high ceilings and spacious rooms make this house worthy of the investment. And because so much was removed, the new owner could have a lot of fun restoring beautiful details through salvage and antiques. What do you think?

3) Handpicked: STYLE

If you're picking a house like the one featured above, a good source of inspiration is The Corbel! Based in Louisiana, The Corbel specializes in antique and reclaimed doors, as well as antique and reproduction furniture and SWINGS (my favorite). Choosing patina'd pieces like these can immediately give warmth and character to a home, and they hold their investment really well.

Be sure to check out their Instagram feed for even more inspiration.

That's all from our team this week - can't wait until next week!

X Isabella

Isabella Califano Ehrlich - Designer and GC
Milk and Honey Group

P.S. If you would like to consider working together, I'd love to hear from you! Just head to my website here and drop me a line.

Handpicked this week - March 31

Welcome to my Handpicked by Milk and Honey Group newsletter. For new subscribers, in this weekly newsletter, I share my top picks for the week - trends or particularly noteworthy designs. Each week I share an interior, a real estate listing, and a style item that I think is special. I hope you'll let me know what you think!

1] Handpicked: INTERIOR

Based in San Francisco, Anyon Design's portfolio reflects an interest in the airy, coastal vibe rooted in California as well as historic houses with architecture that are unique to the west coast (they're not 300 years old, but they're still interesting!). I share the lead designer's passion for pops of color on a neutral background which add a bit of whimsy and fun to spaces. Of course the light on the west coast is unlike anywhere else and permeates all Anyon's homes with warmth and richness.

My favorites in their portfolio are the Stinson Beach (I adore this area) and Sonoma Farmhouse projects. Which home speaks to you?

2) Handpicked: REAL ESTATE

​This house in Concord has a funny story surrounding it! It sold in December in an insane bidding war, and then the new owner found a property she preferred and put this one BACK on the market! I had several clients look at it seriously this winter and are again taking a peek... It has exquisite landscaping and hardscape to frame the gorgeous view of the Concord River, but it needs a refresh on the interior. Someone really loved yellow

What do you think? Worth the price?

3) Handpicked: STYLE

​Urban Electric is probably the premiere lighting manufacturer for transitional lighting. With an elegantly curated collection, each piece is absolutely stunning, bringing as much personality and style to an interior as a piece of art. Urban Electric is one of the few lighting manufacturers that brings gorgeous and sophisticated pops of color into their pieces, something that I'm ALWAYS looking for.

Their prices are eye-popping but absolutely worth budgeting for! Be sure to check out our Pinterest board for more lighting ideas!

That's all from our team this week - can't wait until next week!

X Isabella

Isabella Califano Ehrlich - Designer and GC
Milk and Honey Group

P.S. If you would like to consider working together, I'd love to hear from you! Just head to my website here and drop me a line.

Handpicked this week - March 24

Welcome to my Handpicked by Milk and Honey Group newsletter. For new subscribers, in this weekly newsletter, I share my top picks for the week - trends or particularly noteworthy designs. Each week I share an interior, a real estate listing, and a style item that I think is special. I hope you'll let me know what you think!

1] Handpicked: INTERIOR

With offices in Montecito and Pasadena, House of Honey's mission is to "design houses where life is celebrated." How wonderful is that? And, they seem to love pink, and of course, honey, so definitely give them a look. Their firm is self-defined as a "female collective" and their use of color is unapologetic, bold and playful but also very sophisticated.

They clearly love lighting as much as I do - so many inspiring pieces to add to my Pinterest board. Which project is your favorite?

2) Handpicked: REAL ESTATE

The house I'm featuring this week - 41 Chase Street #2 in Newton - is one really close to my heart. We completed this home in early 2022 and it was an incredible transformation of a tight space for a family of five. I'm sharing photos shot by the talented Jessica Delaney (minus the exterior image).

Many of our clients are as obsessed with houses as we are, and often they move on to a new home (and project) after finishing a major renovation. This went under contract in two days, substantially over asking! I'm delighted for my clients (now dear friends) and also excited for their next chapter!

3) Handpicked: STYLE

I am obsessed with Laurie Fisher's artwork. I love the color blocking, scale and the interesting mix of color choices as well as the textural elements. Reminiscent of Hapi Art but a little more tailored and subtle, her work is perfect for many different styles and spaces.

She has some pieces currently available in her studio - which one is your favorite?

That's all from our team this week - can't wait until next week!

X Isabella

Isabella Califano Ehrlich - Designer and GC
Milk and Honey Group

P.S. If you would like to consider working together, I'd love to hear from you! Just head to my website here and drop me a line.

Handpicked this week - March 17

Welcome to my Handpicked by Milk and Honey Group newsletter. For new subscribers, in this weekly newsletter, I share my top picks for the week - trends or particularly noteworthy designs. Each week I share an interior, a real estate listing, and a style item that I think is special. I hope you'll let me know what you think!

1] Handpicked: INTERIOR

I have featured the Art of Building before and absolutely love their clean, elevated work. They prioritize the physical architecture of their spaces - the foundational components - over the interior furnishings, which I 150% agree with. I always urge my clients to focus on how a space feels - the flow, the light, and the windows - over all else.

You can always change up furniture and details, but furnishings can never, ever correct a broken layout. Focusing your budget on the manipulation of space is always the way to go and the Art of Building really lives that credo.

2) Handpicked: REAL ESTATE

This house on Chestnut Street in Newton is not affordable for most. But I had to share it because I wanted to show all the incredible architectural details it features. The carport. The unbelievable woodwork in the entry. The beadboard and the clawfoot tub. Just buy it, somebody. Right now.

The wee hooks by the door? The diamond panes in the cloakroom? I just adore it. What do you think?

3) Handpicked: STYLE

A certified B corporation, you can feel really good about indulging in a new pair of shoes or handbag from Anonymous Copenhagen. Quality, ethical manufacturing and environmental stewardship are all critically important to the brand, and they make really sexy products to boot.

As the weather grows warmer, which is on your list? I personally am drawn to those sparkly Dirty Dancing-esque heels. Remember?

That's all from our team this week - can't wait until next week!

X Isabella

Isabella Califano Ehrlich - Designer and GC
Milk and Honey Group

P.S. If you would like to consider working together, I'd love to hear from you! Just head to my website here and drop me a line.

Handpicked this week - March 10

Welcome to my Handpicked by Milk and Honey Group newsletter. For new subscribers, in this weekly newsletter, I share my top picks for the week - trends or particularly noteworthy design. Each week I share an interior, a real estate listing, and a style item that I think is special. I hope you'll let me know what you think!

1] Handpicked: INTERIOR

When I was a creative director for Pottery Barn, we lived in San Francisco. My time in the Bay Area - 7.5 years - really imprinted on my design sensibility. I am drawn to spaces flooded with light that combine modern and antique in an interesting, textured way. I saw Caitlin Flemming on IG and thought she was a great example of how east coast and west coast aesthetics can be merged, resulting in a composed, layered space that feels fresh and comfortable at the same time.

I like that her designs clearly respond to her individual clients and are not the same every time. What do you think?

2) Handpicked: REAL ESTATE

I saw this little cutie in Newton and fell in love! What incredible curb appeal with the adorable porch and beautiful landscaping. It could use some updates - like a new kitchen and PLEASE remove those awful popcorn ceilings - but it has such amazing bones at a fantastic price.

Based on the deck, I would also guess that there is an opportunity to expand if necessary. A great investment in a super location!

3) Handpicked: STYLE

I found Elizabeth Prince Ceramics when I was looking for sculptural art that had a lot of movement. Based in the UK, her butterfly and flower installations are incredible and are a perfect counterpoint to other art (paintings, print) that you might have in your home. I love adding dimensional art to a wall - oversized baskets, textile art - to mix up the wall planes and add interest.

Her pieces are equally at home in a city or beach house. Which one would you choose?

That's all from our team this week - can't wait until next week!

X Isabella

Isabella Califano Ehrlich - Designer and GC
Milk and Honey Group

P.S. If you would like to consider working together, I'd love to hear from you! Just head to my website here and drop me a line.

Handpicked this week - March 3

We are still basking in the glow of our Architectural Digest debut, and are looking forward to a few more ADs featuring our work around the globe and some more exciting press in store! (From our Coolidge Road project in Concord, this very sexy office space with the vintage copper desk and Alky chair by Giancarlo Piretti).

Welcome to my Handpicked by Milk and Honey Group newsletter. For new subscribers, in this weekly newsletter, I share my top picks for the week - trends or particularly noteworthy design. Each week I share an interior, a real estate listing, and a style item that I think is special. I hope you'll let me know what you think!

1] Handpicked: INTERIOR

Another stunner from down under! I saw this first image from Tamsin Johnson and was completely obsessed. The architectural details on the posts! The sculptural chairs! I am always interested in Australian designers - they seem to capture my goals for interiors so beautifully. A focus on architecture, bold and interesting furniture and minimal styling. As a theme, I love that they usually pick one "wow" moment in each of their spaces.

There is always something a little nutty and unexpected too in these designers (look at that chair for example). What do you think?

2) Handpicked: REAL ESTATE

I have had my eye on this house in Belmont for a few weeks now. Built in 1808 it's perched on a hill and needs a LOT of updates. But it has a ton of space and lots of beautiful historic details - gorgeous floors and beautiful exposed beams.

The kitchens and baths seem confused, but there's so much potential, and steps to Belmont center. Could this be your next house?

3) Handpicked: STYLE

I intended to do a whole feature on East Africa following my epic journeys in December and January, but time has gotten away from me. I am obsessed with Hamaji Studio, which offers ethical fashion made in Kenya. I have ordered two pieces already from them and they're pristinely made with beautiful pearl buttons and impeccable tailoring. Hamaji means "nomad" and the bohemian vibe comes through in all their designs.

Ethical fashion that supports indigenous makers and is stunning - you can't ask for more.

That's all from our team this week - can't wait until next week!

X Isabella

Isabella Califano Ehrlich - Designer and GC
Milk and Honey Group

P.S. If you would like to consider working together, I'd love to hear from you! Just head to my website here and drop me a line.

Handpicked this week - February 25

Welcome to my Handpicked by Milk and Honey Group newsletter. For new subscribers, in this weekly newsletter, I share my top picks for the week - trends or particularly noteworthy design. Each week I share an interior, a real estate listing, and a style item that I think is special. I hope you'll let me know what you think!

1] Handpicked: INTERIOR

Based in Toronto, I am loving the high-contrast and globally influenced design of Montana Burnett. I am a huge fan of black and white, and while leaning a little more white can give you a Leanne Ford look, Burnett's black is more like a punctuation mark, giving each space an edge (with a dash of rock and roll), even if the elements of the design are more traditional.

Since we're gearing up for summer house renovations, I'm particularly loving all the inspiration in the vacation homes she has done in Turks and Caicos and Lake Joseph (Ontario). What do you think about Montana Burnett?

2) Handpicked: REAL ESTATE

I have admired this house in Little Compton for ages. You drive (or walk) right past it on the way to South Shore Beach and you notice the sweet architectural details: the adorable shingles on the front facade, the side farmer's porch, the beautiful stone walls and quirky outbuildings. Built in 1830, it's architecture straddles the end of the Federal period and the start of Greek Revival, and this house's stark facade shows those styles perfectly.

If you look closely at the photos you can see the gorgeous wide pine floors that are waiting to be refinished. Clearly in need of updates, this house is a perfect investment for those looking to get out of the city on the weekend and during the summer (and avoid that Cape traffic!).

3) Handpicked: STYLE

I recently found Pepper Home because I was searching for a client for patterned grasscloth, and every sample from other companies kept coming in very dark. Grasscloth is so fun because it adds texture and depth, and the addition of a pattern means even more visual interest. Pepper Home has a full collection of bespoke wallpaper, draperies, textiles, and cushions, making a custom look more accessible to all budgets.

I recently found Pepper Home because I was searching for a client for patterned grasscloth, and every sample from other companies kept coming in very dark. Grasscloth is so fun because it adds texture and depth, and the addition of a pattern means even more visual interest. Pepper Home has a full collection of bespoke wallpaper, draperies, textiles and cushions, making a custom look more accessible to all budgets.

That's all from our team this week - can't wait until next week!

X Isabella

Isabella Califano Ehrlich - Designer and GC
Milk and Honey Group

P.S. If you would like to consider working together, I'd love to hear from you! Just head to my website here and drop me a line.

Handpicked this week - February 18

Welcome to my Handpicked by Milk and Honey Group newsletter. For new subscribers, in this weekly newsletter, I share my top picks for the week - trends or particularly noteworthy designs. Each week I share an interior, a real estate listing, and a style item that I think is special. I hope you'll let me know what you think!

!!PRESS ALERT!!

Before I get into this week's picks, we are so beyond grateful to have one of our recent projects in Concord be picked up by multiple publications. Our first showing is in Architectural Digest Poland - just select English in your browser from the pop-up - and we could not be more honored to be included. This house and homeowner were so special since we really pushed the design - including many curated vintage furniture pieces. We would love to know what you think!

Photos: Ari Kellerman

We are very grateful to our press agent in Paris for this incredible opportunity!

1] Handpicked: INTERIOR

We are working on a project currently where the client is NOT afraid of color and pattern, which is insanely fun! So, because I am IN HER HEAD right now, I had to feature Laura Stephens, from the UK. Her work is bold and risk-taking, but still feels refined and restrained. Laura highlights the architecture of her spaces with bold colors, and throws in texture with paneling or moulding details. I particularly love her signature "foyer table" which seems to be a custom narrow shelf in each of her homes (take a peek!).

I love that this creative use of color really highlights the architecture and makes an older home feel modern. What do you think?

2) Handpicked: REAL ESTATE

​This house had me on the porch. The plaster work (I think it's plaster - hard to tell)! The incredible balusters! The gorgeous double-entry door! In Newton Highlands on a huge lot, this house is just waiting to be refreshed. The kitchen is a hot, hot mess and clearly needs to be rethought structurally as it was jammed into an odd corner. But the original details throughout and the charming carriage house!

Look at the original light fixtures, fretwork, and beadboard in this space! Who's ready?

3) Handpicked: STYLE

Continuing my British theme with design, I found Navy Grey this winter. I am always on the hunt for the perfect slouchy sweater and Navy Grey has more than a few that I adore. I also this year have embraced the sweater VEST, since I am often cold but don't like a bulky sweater under my enormous winter North Face puffer.

Which is your favorite?

That's all from our team this week - can't wait until next week!

X Isabella

Isabella Califano Ehrlich - Designer and GC
Milk and Honey Group

P.S. If you would like to consider working together, I'd love to hear from you! Just head to my website here and drop me a line.

Handpicked this week - February 11

Welcome to my Handpicked by Milk and Honey Group newsletter. For new subscribers, in this weekly newsletter, I share my top picks for the week - trends or particularly noteworthy design. Each week I share an interior, a real estate listing, and a style item that I think is special. I hope you'll let me know what you think!

1] Handpicked: INTERIOR

I am loving the distinctly New England spirit of Whitten Architects. Based in Portland, their vernacular translates the landscape of Maine into architecture: colors found in nature (sage green and burnished black), simple, Shaker-style wood species and weathered shingles, and restrained but bold design elements (metal roofs, sculptural lighting, and architectural millwork).

Many of the elements in their work are what I love about California architecture, and yet this feels unique to the Northeast. What do you think?

2) Handpicked: REAL ESTATE

On the market for the first time in 42 years, this house is in a fantastic center-of-town location in Concord. Beautiful hardwood floors, original architectural details (gorgeous old doors and brass hardware) and exposed beams make this Dutch Colonial a must-see. It needs a new kitchen and I would assume refreshed baths. But with a walk to everything spot in town, it’s a fantastic investment.

I am loving the price in this walk-to-center location!

3) Handpicked: STYLE

I found Drusus Tabor through Andrew Spindler Antiques, and I used many of their textiles when designing my home in Little Compton, Rhode Island. Artist Chip Dort holds a master’s in painting and printmaking from Yale, and I love that he uses traditional block printing to create his exquisite fabrics.

The broad color palette means his textiles are equally at home in coastal cottages or neutral modern homes, adding just the right design flair with color and bold pattern. You can buy his pillows ready-made from Andrew Spindler, but it's even more fun to create your own combinations. Also, his patterns are available in wallpaper from Schumacher! Which colors speak to you?

That's all from our team this week - can't wait until next week!

X Isabella

Isabella Califano Ehrlich - Designer and GC
Milk and Honey Group

P.S. If you would like to consider working together, I'd love to hear from you! Just head to my website here and drop me a line.

Handpicked this week - February 4

Welcome to my Handpicked by Milk and Honey Group newsletter. For new subscribers, in this weekly newsletter, I share my top picks for the week - trends or particularly noteworthy design. Each week I share an interior, a real estate listing, and a style item that I think is special. I hope you'll let me know what you think!

1] Handpicked: INTERIOR

I have featured the incredible Raili Clasen before, but with these darker winter days I wanted to showcase some of her moodier work. A Southern California legend at this point, her work was always sun-soaked and effervescent. But in the past few years she has moved to high contrasts of light and dark, with punctuating black windows, dark cabinets, and more nuanced color palettes, incorporating a lot of wood tones and texture (think terrazzo and concrete). The feel is less "Endless Summer" and more a fusion of California history with ranch and Spanish notes.

She has a book coming out this April - Surf Style at Home - which of course I have pre-ordered. My guess is that this collection will reflect her prior design aesthetic. What do you think of her new direction?

2) Handpicked: REAL ESTATE

I saw this listing and immediately sent it to one of my very favorite clients who has an eye for special properties in Newton. This house (or castle - who knows what is going on) is clearly a hot mess. But the incredible slate roof! THE LOCATION ON THE CHARLES RIVER. With a dock!

This reminds me of the strange castle that Chip and Joanna Gaines rehabbed (although a little smaller so definitely more manageable). Waterfront in Newton!

3) Handpicked: STYLE

I am a sucker for a gorgeous bag and particularly one that showcases the breathtaking talents of indigenous cultures. When I'm traveling in Africa, I spend a lot of time ogling textiles. So I fell in love with Yosuzi, which is inspired by the founder's Native American heritage in Venezuela. Using traditional methods with contemporary designs, the hats alone take eight hours to weave. Here are some of my favorites:

The pieces are perfect for spring vacations, and a collection that supports the legacy of the Guajiro tribe (which I was excited to learn about!).

That's all from our team this week - can't wait until next week!

X Isabella

Isabella Califano Ehrlich - Designer and GC
Milk and Honey Group

P.S. If you would like to consider working together, I'd love to hear from you! Just head to my website here and drop me a line.

Handpicked this week - January 28

Welcome to my Handpicked by Milk and Honey Group newsletter. For new subscribers, in this weekly newsletter, I share my top picks for the week - trends or particularly noteworthy design. Each week I share an interior, a real estate listing, and a style item that I think is special. I hope you'll let me know what you think!

1] Handpicked: INTERIOR

Ooooooooooh Emma Milne UK ! She is speaking my love language of incorporating old and new - I can't even with the old books next to the modern oak floors! I absolutely love the layering of textures; her attention to the individual qualities of various surfaces, especially woods, gives each space so much depth. The addition of tactile textiles - linen, velvets - makes her spaces feel timeless and comfortable.

Take a look through her Instagram and let me know your favorites!

2) Handpicked: REAL ESTATE

I almost passed out when I saw this historic house in Somerville. I need it. In fact, I was going to feature another listing this week until I was stopped in my tracks. The shingles! The diamond windows! The butler's pantry. I could go on... The George Loring house was built for George Loring, the architect who designed it.

I'm keeping my eye on this one. It just might have to be my first foray into development (here's hoping the price comes down!). Or, one of YOU can buy it as I would love to return it to glory!

3) Handpicked: STYLE

I hope you haven't forgotten my pro tip on Australian fashion! Since they're in the Southern Hemisphere, their spring/summer collections go on sale just in time for spring stateside. I am obsessed with Oroton and their caftan-chic style. Each piece has an opinion and the colors are beyond. Lilac with melon? Yes please.

All their pieces can be dressed up or down, and I just can't get enough of the high-contrast wrap belts! Also, they're great for transitional seasons - add tights, boots and a cardi and you're all set.

That's all from our team this week - can't wait until next week!

X Isabella

Isabella Califano Ehrlich - Designer and GC
Milk and Honey Group

P.S. If you would like to consider working together, I'd love to hear from you! Just head to my website here and drop me a line.

Handpicked this week - January 21

Welcome to my Handpicked by Milk and Honey Group newsletter. For new subscribers, in this weekly newsletter, I share my top picks for the week - trends or particularly noteworthy design. Each week I share an interior, a real estate listing, and a style item that I think is special. I hope you'll let me know what you think!

1] Handpicked: INTERIOR

I recently discovered Laura Stephens and love her pops of color with her decidedly British sense of style. I fell in love with this home she designed - the mash-up of the patterned wallpaper, opinionated paint color, and bold upholstery meant instant love for me! And the lighting - swoon! Her taste references traditional design but it all feels a bit cheeky which I love.

2) Handpicked: REAL ESTATE

This home in Concord isn't much to look at now, but the neighborhood is phenomenal. One of those old-fashioned communities where kids play in the street together - riding bikes and playing soccer - and neighbors bring over a casserole when you move in. Who doesn't want that? The exterior is tired but it's a blank slate just waiting to be refreshed!

It has some lovely light, which means it has potential! A new kitchen, new baths, and perhaps an expanded rear addition and you've got an amazing investment in coveted Concord!

3) Handpicked: STYLE

Having grown up around the water, the vernacular of the ocean has permeated Blakely Little's art. She founded Blakely Made and is inspired by the landscape around her - marshes in Charleston, her international travels, and her hometown of Annapolis. Her work is sun-soaked and dreamy but also has an Impressionist influence.

Blake's work is at home equally in a beach or lake house, but also as the grounding of a color palette in a suburban or city home (just imagine that sunset painting with a wall in Farrow and Ball, Dimity). What do you think?

That's all from our team this week - can't wait until next week!

X Isabella

Isabella Califano Ehrlich - Designer and GC
Milk and Honey Group

P.S. If you would like to consider working together, I'd love to hear from you! Just head to my website here and drop me a line.

Handpicked this week - December 10

Welcome to my Handpicked by Milk and Honey Group newsletter. For new subscribers, in this weekly newsletter, I share my top picks for the week - trends or particularly noteworthy designs. Each week I share an interior, a real estate listing, and a style item that I think is special. I hope you'll let me know what you think!

1] Handpicked: INTERIOR

Based in Memphis, Sean Anderson Design is known for a mash-up of modern and moody, with a dose of European influence. I love how his textural architectural elements - hewn stone, salvage beams, dark metals - mesh perfectly with the beautifully weathered antiques and collected decor items he showcases in his interiors.

His style is bold and yet restrained - unexpected details like a large tree in a bath, and a dark foyer that pops with weathered wood antiques on the walls. Sean's spaces feel so balanced and yet eminently livable. What do you think?

2) Handpicked: REAL ESTATE

Living on a cul de sac in the middle of the city is a true luxury (I know because our family snagged a home on a similar tiny street). This bungalow on Maynard Place in Cambridge is in a prime location (close to the Charles River!) and yet feels so private with its delightful garden! The kitchen could use a refresh, and while it has a lovely cottage feel, it could use some character (paneling, beams, some delicious Farrow and Ball paint).

I have been speaking with several clients (who are downsizing, but aren't interested in a condo) and there is such a lack of smaller homes. This would be a perfect opportunity!

3) Handpicked: STYLE

As an art history and studio art major at Princeton, I threw myself both into the study of painting and also its practice. These days I have really been missing sitting down with a canvas and gorgeous tubes of viscous oil paints. What a luxury it is to make art! Based in the UK, Nancy McKie's work nods to folk art (both in subject and technique), with gorgeous and vibrant color choices that would be thrilling in both a modern or traditional home.

It feels like Matisse and Amos Ferguson had a baby... I love her pieces!

That's all from our team this week - can't wait until next week!

X Isabella

Isabella Califano Ehrlich - Designer and GC
Milk and Honey Group

P.S. If you would like to consider working together, I'd love to hear from you! Just head to my website here and drop me a line.

Handpicked this week - December 3

Welcome to my Handpicked by Milk and Honey Group newsletter. For new subscribers, in this weekly newsletter, I share my top picks for the week - trends or particularly noteworthy designs. Each week I share an interior, a real estate listing, and a style item that I think is special. I hope you'll let me know what you think!

1] Handpicked: INTERIOR

As we are on the cusp of an election season, Canada is starting to inspire me more and more. Collective Studio, based in Toronto, has some of the elements I love from Australian designers - rich layering of textures (stone and wood species) and careful details in hardware and millwork. Every choice seems really intentional and edited, but the whole is very comfortable and inviting.

I love that everything is very clean and purposeful, but uncluttered. What do you think of their work?

2) Handpicked: REAL ESTATE

Ok, this is going to be a little bit of a humble brag. We just renovated a condo for one of our favorite clients who purchased it as an investment property. There is currently a similar unit where you can see the “before”. But don’t you want to see the after? We removed the popcorn ceilings, renovated the kitchen, added an entry landing with new tile, installed gorgeous new carpet (it’s on a second floor so the carpet is mandated), and updated all the lighting, hardware, and paint. Isn’t it a lovely refresh

3) Handpicked: STYLE

Since we work on a lot of historic houses, we are always searching for beautiful salvage pieces. Think doors, interior windows, hardware... we want it all! My favorite place for decades was in New Bedford, but it closed some years back. Portland Architectural Salvage in Portland Maine is a new resource for me for some of these historic pieces.

It's so worth it to take some extra time to infuse spaces with character by using architectural salvage. What is your favorite resource for these kinds of pieces?

That's all from our team this week - can't wait until next week!

X Isabella

Isabella Califano Ehrlich - Designer and GC
Milk and Honey Group

P.S. If you would like to consider working together, I'd love to hear from you! Just head to m​y website here and drop me a line.